Turn cherished photos into works of fiber art. Pictorial quilting is a perfect first step into the world of art quilting. Using Wendy's "Pretty as a Picture in Yellow" pattern (included free), you'll learn how to translate photos into line drawings, then find the perfect set of fabrics to use as your color palette. You'll create a pattern template with simple supplies like freezer paper, glue sticks and fusible interfacing. You'll learn how to machine appliqué your quilt design and use free-motion techniques to embellish your quilt with an unbelievable variety of thread options. Along the way, Wendy shares dozens of techniques and tips you can use in any quilting project. Sign up today for Art Quilting: Pictorial Techniques and get ready to share your quilting artistry and cherished memories with the people you love.

Lesson plan

Lesson 1. Course Introduction

Meet Wendy Butler Berns as she introduces you to the world of creating pictures with fabric. See what will be taught in this lesson and how to use the Craftsy platform.

40:31

Lesson 2. Working With Fabric

Auditioning your fabrics is not just about seeing what goes together. Learn how to incorporate scale and color values to create a sense of depth and perspective in your quilt. Then start assembling the fabrics for the yellow coneflower project.

57:53

Lesson 3. Assembling The Quilt

Learn how to create a master image map to plot out your colors and fabrics. Then move your pattern from paper to fabric with the help of freezer paper. Decide whether to use glue basting or raw-edge basting to assemble your quilt.

33:11

Lesson 4. Heading to the Machine

Get a brief tour of the types of thread to use on your quilt for stabilizing, snipping and embellishing. Wendy shows you some stitching techniques on appliqué and embellishments.

34:29

Lesson 5. Different Finishing Techniques

It's time to do the finishing touches. Decide whether you need a border or just a binding. Add the batting and backing, as well as the quilt hanger and a label.

40:54

Lesson 6. Human Form in Fabric

Incorporating people into quilts is one of the most popular and challenging techniques in pictorial quilting. Wendy shows you how to select fabrics for skin tones, create faces on fabric and embellish facial features.

32:41

Lesson 7. Your Photos In Fabric

Wendy walks you through the step-by-step method to change a photo into a simple line drawing and then a pattern. Select fabrics to create features and effects on your quilt.

26:57

Lesson 8. Quilting Stories

The stories behind the quilts are usually as interesting as the quilts themselves. Wendy shares what inspires her quilts, such as her family and favorite places, and how she incorporates them into her art.

"This is a wonderful course for anyone wanting to learn the process of pictorial quilting. Wendy does an excellent job at explaining the way she works through the process of creating, preparing for and completing a quilt. As a beginner to pictorial quilting, I appreciate how Wendy has shared her own techniques in the creation of these quilts. Her enthusiasm and love of pictorial quilting shows as she shares her special talent in each lesson in this course. I thoroughly enjoyed this course! GREAT JOB, WENDY!" - Simply Sparkle

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Lesson plan

14:54

Lesson 1. Course Introduction

Meet Wendy Butler Berns as she introduces you to the world of creating pictures with fabric. See what will be taught in this lesson and how to use the Craftsy platform.

40:31

Lesson 2. Working With Fabric

Auditioning your fabrics is not just about seeing what goes together. Learn how to incorporate scale and color values to create a sense of depth and perspective in your quilt. Then start assembling the fabrics for the yellow coneflower project.

57:53

Lesson 3. Assembling The Quilt

Learn how to create a master image map to plot out your colors and fabrics. Then move your pattern from paper to fabric with the help of freezer paper. Decide whether to use glue basting or raw-edge basting to assemble your quilt.

33:11

Lesson 4. Heading to the Machine

Get a brief tour of the types of thread to use on your quilt for stabilizing, snipping and embellishing. Wendy shows you some stitching techniques on appliqué and embellishments.

34:29

Lesson 5. Different Finishing Techniques

It's time to do the finishing touches. Decide whether you need a border or just a binding. Add the batting and backing, as well as the quilt hanger and a label.

40:54

Lesson 6. Human Form in Fabric

Incorporating people into quilts is one of the most popular and challenging techniques in pictorial quilting. Wendy shows you how to select fabrics for skin tones, create faces on fabric and embellish facial features.

32:41

Lesson 7. Your Photos In Fabric

Wendy walks you through the step-by-step method to change a photo into a simple line drawing and then a pattern. Select fabrics to create features and effects on your quilt.

26:57

Lesson 8. Quilting Stories

The stories behind the quilts are usually as interesting as the quilts themselves. Wendy shares what inspires her quilts, such as her family and favorite places, and how she incorporates them into her art.

The instructor

Wendy Butler Berns, Instructor of Pictorial Quilting Techniques

Wendy is an award-winning teacher, quilter and the author of Photo Album Quilts. Her quilts have appeared in regional, national and international juried shows, including the International Quilt Show in Houston and the American Quilter's Society show in Paducah, KY. She received the Jewel Pearce Patterson scholarship for quilting teachers in 2009, and her articles have appeared in Quilting Arts, Quilters Newsletter and other publications. She teaches and lectures about the art of quilting at conferences, guilds and retreats across the country.

Ratings & reviews

Class rating

(70 reviews)

One my favorite craftsy teachers.

by Lafpeaches on January 21, 2015

This was the first craftsy class I signed up for. I have watched this 3 times. It takes me awhile for things to click.I have been doing applique for awhile. Next time I am going to try Wendy's technique. I like the way she presents her material. Her speech is very clear.I learn something new each time. Her demonstrations are well organized. I have 22 craftsy classes in my library, each one is excellent.

This was the first craftsy class I signed up for. I have watched this 3 times. It takes me awhile for things to click.I have been doing applique for awhile. Next time I am going to try Wendy's technique. I like the way she presents her material. Her speech is very clear.I learn something new each time. Her demonstrations are well organized. I have 22 craftsy classes in my library, each one is excellent.

Inspired!

by Tonallie on December 28, 2014

This is my first class on pictorial appliqué quilts and I'm so excited toGet started. Trying to listen to all segments before starting but not sure I'll make it to the end. Very inspired!

This is my first class on pictorial appliqué quilts and I'm so excited toGet started. Trying to listen to all segments before starting but not sure I'll make it to the end. Very inspired!

Great instructor!

by SEWKOPELLI on July 29, 2014

Wendy is a delightful teacher. She really helped me to understand how to fit all the pieces together for a pictorial quilt. It is hard to believe that this class, with such an excellent teacher, is free. I love how I can keep reviewing different sections. Thank you,Wendy, and thank you, Craftsy!

Wendy is a delightful teacher. She really helped me to understand how to fit all the pieces together for a pictorial quilt. It is hard to believe that this class, with such an excellent teacher, is free. I love how I can keep reviewing different sections. Thank you,Wendy, and thank you, Craftsy!

Learning To Do Pictorial Quilts

by grandmad on July 21, 2014

Lots to learn good start

Lots to learn good start

excellent

by Lisa Gardner on July 12, 2014

Love Wendy's classes, she is an excellent teacher, so enjoyed this class!

Love Wendy's classes, she is an excellent teacher, so enjoyed this class!

Frequently asked questions

Wendy includes her Coneflower templates for practice, but the goal of the class is to turn your own images into a pictorial quilt. You'll learn which images are good candidates to become quilt designs.